"A Bird in the Hand" take 2. DR650 Deadtail Bobber, now with a sidecar

Alright, lots of little bits finished up that do not look significantly different from the last post, but its enough to call the main bit of fab work done. I got the final swingarm finished up. Its all made out of 3/16" thick steel. Much more rigid than the mockup one.
DR Leaner Swingarm 2.jpg

DR Leaner Swingarm 3.jpg


Got all of the hardware replaced with Grade 8 stuff and spacers made for the shock mount.
DR Leaner Swingarm 4.jpg


Fame Fabrication Complete
DR Leaner 1.jpg


I got the frame mounted up to the bike and took it for its first real spin. I did about 10 miles or so of the twistiest stuff nearby. It handled great. It was "different" than stock, but I wouldnt say in a bad or detrimental way. Kind of like how a bike hanldes different with a passenger etc.
DR Leaner 3.jpg


DR Leaner 2.jpg


Now that the bracing is finalized, I can get the body mounted in its final spot. Itll be somewhere right around here.
DR Leaner 5.jpg

DR Leaner 6.jpg

DR Leaner 7.jpg
 
That thing is awesome - happy to say I've seen it in person, but sad to say I'm too big to fit in the sidecar body ;)
 
Haha yeah the body is definitely kid sized. Lenny is 4, and I think this one will get him through maybe 2 seasons. After that, ill have to put in a more full size body of some sort.
 
Haha yeah the body is definitely kid sized. Lenny is 4, and I think this one will get him through maybe 2 seasons. After that, ill have to put in a more full size body of some sort.
That gives you time to get around to asking about that canoe in Crestline. :cool:

Looks fantastic!
 
Haha yeah the body is definitely kid sized. Lenny is 4, and I think this one will get him through maybe 2 seasons. After that, ill have to put in a more full size body of some sort.
Once he's too big to fit, mold a lid onto that sidecar body and use it as a cargo hauler when you want to go bike camping. Or mold an ice chest into it for when need to deliver beer (or fresh fish, or meat pies).
 
Did you use GMAW-P when doing the swingarm? The sidecar looks good, I like that color green
 
Thanks fellas! Still have a bit to go on it. I'm going to make an aluminum floor for the body and ditch the 1.25" thick bowling alley style wood soap box floor which will save some weight. I may also play around with a sort of roll bar and cage loop for at least a bit of added protection. As of right now, its the equivalent of riding in a tupperware container...

And thanks pid. I may end up re painting it with silver and orange, but maybe do some graphics that are a nod to Burt Munro's streamliner as the soap box body has the same general shape.
burt munro.jpg


But for now, a friend from work made up a decal with his name. He loves it.
lenny sidecar graphic 2.jpg
 
Grear pix, Levi! The young man is really growing up and his name on the body is nothing short of awesome.
 
Thanks fellas!

On todays episode of "whats going on in Levi's mind".. I picked up this trailer for $100 from my old boss. I told him a while back that if he ever sold it to give me a call as I thought the fenders were cool. Its an old boat trailer with a deck installed. He called me and I brought it home. Planning to pull the fenders off, fix one up for the sidecar and sell the trailer, hopefully for $100 haha

trailer 1.jpg
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THAT. IS. AWESOME. You certainly have a good eye.

Let's get together on this over the summer; I'll help get the lights/wiring all tidy and neat and with some paint and TLC you should be able to double your money if not more.
 
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